Reflect - Snow White Retold

Part 3

THREE

They arrived at Castrum in the late afternoon, not long before the city gates closed at sunset. Xylander insisted on sleeping the night at an inn before entering Artorius' court, and Guinevere was grateful. A bath and a bed for the night after such a wearying journey was just what she needed.

The sounds of the city woke her at dawn, and she had never been one to lie abed when there was work to be done. She unbraided her hair, still slightly damp from its washing last night, and combed it until it was dry. Without a maid to help her and only her blurred reflection in the scratched bronze mirror to guide her, Guinevere knew better than to attempt to dress her own hair as would be expected at her father's court.

She changed into a fresh shift, then laid out her dresses to see if anything would suit. She'd rolled them all together in the saddlebag, so the silks and linens were now hopelessly creased, but the one woollen gown she'd tightly rolled in the heart of the bundle had not suffered the same fate. The white lambswool smoothed out at a touch, its softness strange under her fingers after so long wearing rough squire's clothes.

"By all that's holy, Guin, put some clothes on. You're haloed against the firelight, and though you might look heaven-sent to any other man like that, heaven knows I don't want to see my sister naked."

The sight of Xylander with an arm thrown over his eyes, as if to block out the morning light, brought laughter to her lips as it lightened her heart. She slipped the white gown over her head as she said, "So you think King Artorius will be willing to marry me?"

"Any man would be willing to marry you," Xylander said. "Except me, of course."

"Of course." She tied her laces, then adjusted her girdle so it sat right. "Do I look good enough for court, Lander?"

"If there is a man among them who dares say otherwise, I shall challenge them on the spot," he said, filling the basin with water and dunking his head in. He came up spluttering. "And fight for your honour."

She snorted. "What good would it do for you to get stuck on a sword?"

He drew himself up haughtily. "I am an expert swordsman. In the battle for your honour, it will be the other man who is pierced by my blade."

"Even worse. I'm sure Artorius will really want to marry me, knowing it's my fault one of his knights was slayed for simply slighting me."

Xylander rubbed his face vigorously with a towel, then blinked at her. "A truly noble king would recognise the loyalty you command in your men, and be even more eager for an alliance."

"Do you think Father will honour such an alliance?"

Xylander's wince answered for him.

They ate a silent breakfast, and all too soon made their way up the spiralling streets to the castle.